The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-04-28
SENATORIAL eooRIsHNEss.
How Lady Book Agent Fared Not
Long Ago.

Long Ago.
Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON, April 11.-There is as much
difference in the natures Of the United
States senator's as in those of common
people. One senator is gruff and another
is pleasant; one is kind, another is cross;
one may be gentleman and the man
who sits beside him boor. The same rule
extends to senatorial families, and every
phase of human nature exists in the little
coterie at Washington who are represented
by the seventy-six great men who sit in the
American house of lords. A curious instance
Of this fact has just come under my notice.
One of the brightest women of Washington,
who has been noted as a writer of campaign
ballads and army songs, was formerly en-
ployed at the treasury department When
she was discharged she found herself
with large family on her hands and
no means of supporting them. She de-
| cided to publish a volume Of her poems.
They had been copied by the newspapers
throughout the country, had been set to
music and many Of them had sold very wide
ly. She prepared her manuscript, but could
not find publisher who would get it out in
book form as speculation. She had no
money to publish it herself, and she was in
despair. At this point Editor Fox, Of The
Washington Republican, who was an old
friend of hers, became interested in her case
and mentioned it to Mrs. Leland Stanford.
Mrs. Stanford sent request for the lady to
call upon her. The poetess called. She was
personally received by the millionaire
senator's wife, and for two hours
the two ladies talked Of general sub
| jects Mrs Stanford during this time
said nothing in regard to the publica-
ton and the lady did not dare to refer to it.
| At the close Of the conversation Mrs STAN
ford told the lady that she had heard Of her
troubles and that she intended TO publish her
book for her. The poetess was so affected
that she burst out sobbing. She told Mrs.
Stanford that she could not express her graf
itude. Mrs. Stanford published the book,
and it cost, think, in the neighborhood Of
$780, 1t is very neat little volume entitled
"Crown Our Heroes" Several prominent
ladies of Washington have been interested in
its success, and Mime. Romero, the wife of
the Mexican minister, has taken a large
number Of copies The poetess has been TAX
ing subscriptions herself, and she has met
with the best of treatment in nearly every
| house she has entered. But one day she
| called upon prominent senator from the
west, whose home is in q state which borders
the Mississippi river and whose wife is very
prominent in Washington society. The au-
thoress asked to see the lady of the house.
She was told that the lady was dressing, but
that the senator would receive her. She en-
| tered the parlor and in q moment the
senator entered. He bowed low and
asked the authoress what he could do for
her. She produced her book, and then said,
"Senator Blank, l have here book which
have written"
The senator's sallow face turned red with
rage. His long, struggling, whitish beard
quivered and he raised his long arm as he said
excitedly:
"If had known you had book to sell,
madame, you would not have come into my
house."
The lady-for this authoress is as true a
lady as any woman in Washington-was
tbunderstruck She stammered that she had
not intended to trouble him, and that she had
written the book herself, and that many other
senators had purchased it.
The senator, more angrily still, exclaimed
e. your hook And do you suppose that ]
would want your bookl 1t would not BIO as
much use to me as waste paper" and with
that he dismissed the woman as CURLY as
though be was ordering tramp out Of his
house.